Risk profile for gallstone disease in southern Indian population: is there anything new?

There are reports of changes in demographic and morphological characteristics of gallstone (GS) disease in South Asian countries. The changes in dietary factors have not been previously reported. The aim of the study was to identify dietary factors and lifestyle patterns among southern Indian patients with GS disease.

Seventy-one consecutive patients with GS disease were compared with age- and sex-matched controls. Baseline demographic characteristics, alcohol intake and smoking, and dietary details were noted and associations examined statistically.

The demographic and lifestyle variables were similar in both groups. Family history of GS disease and diabetes mellitus was higher among cases (16.9 %; p = 0.01; odds ratio (OR) 2.02; 95 % CI 1.58 to 2.58 for both). Vegetables consumed ≥ 2 times per week (OR 0.09; 95 % CI 0.04 to 0.21), fruits (OR 0.45; 95 % CI 0.20 to 0.99), and sugar (OR 0.27; 95 % CI 0.07 to 0.95) consumed ≥ 3 times per week were negatively associated with GS. Tea and coffee were taken less frequently by cases (2.5 vs. 2.9 cups/day; ANOVA p < 0.01). Tamarind (OR 27.6; 95 % CI 9.5 to 84.4), spicy foods (OR 6.6; 95 % CI 2.8 to 16.3), and fried foods (OR 9.1; 95 % CI 2.8 to 33.2) when taken ≥ 4 times per week and cooking oil ≥ 300 mL per month (OR 62.0; p < 0.0000) increased the risk for GS.

Several dietary preferences were associated with GS disease in this southern Indian population.